My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 538 Resembling Cao Cao? Resembling Yuan Shao!
The fire raged skyward, accompanied by a strong gust of wind. The letters, reduced to ashes, were swept into the air by the wind and disappeared without a trace.

Everyone's gaze shifted back to Erzhu Rong.

Those who could enter and leave the Tianzhu General's Mansion were all Erzhu Rong's absolute confidants. They already knew about Chilie Yanqing's defeat and death, as well as Hebasheng's great defeat and the fact that Hanoi County had effectively fallen.

General Houmo Chenyue is currently stationed in Beizhong City with his troops. Originally, Houmo Chenyue wanted to take advantage of Gao Yu's unstable foothold to retake Yewang.

However, Wang Sizheng blocked them on the south bank of the river, making it impossible for them to cross. Moreover, the scouts he sent out also sent back news.

A large army of over ten thousand men was advancing towards Yewang from the direction of Shanyang. It was clear that Gao Yu had already begun to mobilize a large army from the rear to garrison the area, leaving them with no chance whatsoever and forcing them to give up.

All bad news, and each one worse than the last.

Morale was low, and even Erzhu Rong had a slight look of melancholy on his face. How did the situation come to this?

Seeing this, Hu Sichun stepped forward and said with a smile, "Prime Minister's move will surely be known to everyone in Luoyang. It has the style of Cao Cao in the past. This move will surely bring peace to the people of Luoyang!"

He is very clear about his own position.

Others had a way out, such as Wang Xiang and Su Chuo.

The Wang family of Taiyuan and the Su family of Jingzhao have neither antagonized Gao Yu. If Erzhu Rong is truly defeated, whether Gao Yu is merely putting on a show to appease the people or genuinely appreciating talent, he will very likely continue to heavily rely on this group of people.

What about Kehuschun?
He had annoyed Gao Yu quite a bit back then. Although Gao Yu never expressed any dissatisfaction with him, he had been targeting him at every turn. How could Gao Yu not harbor resentment?
Husichun didn't dare to gamble on whether Gao Yu would hate him.

He has no choice but to go down this path to the bitter end; there is no way out.

These words came abruptly, but everyone present was shrewd. Once someone started talking, Prime Minister Wang quickly echoed, "Fa Shou's words are timely. If the Prime Minister's magnanimity and breadth of mind are spread, this action will surely appease the people of the city."

Upon hearing this, Erzhu Rong smiled helplessly, "What kind of person is Wei Wu? I am far inferior to him. If I really had Wei Wu's abilities, would I be facing such a situation?"

They look the same, but there are huge differences.

Cao Cao was magnanimous because he won the crucial Battle of Guandu. After Yuan Shao's death, his sons were at odds, which Cao Cao defeated one by one, eventually swallowing up the four provinces of Hebei.

They found letters sent by Yuan Shao's men during the Battle of Guandu.

Cao Cao set it on fire.

He needed to demonstrate his magnanimity and soothe people's hearts, since Yuan Shao, whom they wanted to serve, was already dead, and they could no longer "look at the grass on the other side".

Erzhu Rong is different.

The series of defeats tarnished his prestige and damaged his reputation, causing unrest among the people of Luoyang.

If, at this point, the letters are used as evidence to launch a large-scale arrest and killing spree, the already anxious public will likely collapse completely.

Who can guarantee they won't be severely punished in this 'purge'?
For example, how could those who usually had grudges against treacherous officials like Hu Sichun dare to gamble their lives on the fact that someone like Hu Sichun wouldn't take revenge for personal reasons?

Even members of prominent families dared not gamble.

Erzhu Rong's reputation is already ruined.

How many people died beside the river?
The entire 'high-level' of the Hongnong Yang clan was wiped out.

No one dares to bet.

Once the purge begins, it cannot be stopped. In a state of constant anxiety, how is it any different from the situation in Luoyang back then?

Ultimately, it comes down to facing the fear of the unknown and taking risks.

Before Gao Yu's army even arrived, Luoyang was already in turmoil.

The same behavior.

Cao Cao acted in accordance with the prevailing trend after his victory and with the overall situation already settled.

Erzhu Rong was mostly forced into this situation.

Their circumstances were worlds apart.

"The Prime Minister is also a hero of our time, why be so modest?"

Su Chuo then offered words of comfort.

"That's it, that's all."

Erzhu Rong shook his head. Given his current dire situation, he had no interest in listening to endless platitudes.

After dismissing everyone else, he kept Su Chuo behind alone.

The two returned to their room. Erzhu Rong, who had been putting on a brave face in front of everyone, finally sighed when he was alone with Su Chuo. "Ling Chuo, the situation is so chaotic, I am really upset." Su Chuo remained silent for a moment.

He knows very well...

Erzhu Rong's current predicament is simply due to losing too many times.

It can be said.

Turning thirty was a watershed moment in Erzhu Rong's life.

Before this, he had a smooth life, thanks to the solid foundation left to him by his ancestors three generations back.

He also curried favor with Yuan Yi, who held immense power at the time.

At the same time, Erzhu Rong himself was also outstanding, and was one of the best among the younger generation of the Erzhu clan. How glorious he was!

During the Hebei Incident.

He reached the pinnacle of his life.

He supported the new emperor, became the prime minister, and wielded immense power!
But since then, it has been on a continuous downward trend.

Yuan Ziyou opposed him, and Gao Yu rose to prominence unexpectedly.

Erzhu Rong often felt deep regret in the quiet of the night.

If I had listened to Gao Yu's advice in Heyin and had not gone on a killing spree, but only punished the ringleaders...

Or perhaps I shouldn't have acted so impulsively back on Tongtuo Street; I really went even further than the Sima family.

Both were regicides, and both were condemned by the people.

The Sima family even knew to find a 'dirty glove' to do this kind of job of killing the emperor in the street.

He himself, however, committed regicide.

It was after Yuan Ziyou's death that Erzhu died by stepping on the gas pedal on a downhill road.

Right now, what Erzhu Rong really needs most is some nice platitudes, at least to get back on his feet and regain his confidence.

Erzhu Rong shook his head with a smile, "How ridiculous! I have read history books and have ridiculed Yuan Shao for being 'cautious in great matters but forgetting righteousness for small gains'. But now I am no different from Yuan Shao. If I had personally commanded the battle from the front line, how could we have suffered such a complete defeat?"

When Erzhu Rong reviewed the situation later, he clearly came to a conclusion.

Gao Yu personally led a large army to attack the city, and was fully aware of the situation at the front.

On the contrary, he...

Although Ye Wang was based in Luoyang, it seemed that he could reach Luoyang in less than a day, but there was always a time lag between the news and military intelligence he received.

Gao Yu's subsequent ambush of various reinforcements clearly took advantage of the fact that the reinforcements only knew that Ye Wang was in critical condition, but were unaware that Ye Wang had already fallen, thus creating a perfect time difference.

Su Chuo then spoke up to offer advice.

"Prime Minister, before the Battle of Guandu, who was optimistic about Wei Wu? However, facing numerous difficulties, Wei Wu persevered and ultimately had the last laugh."

"Prime Minister, you still hold considerable military power, and Bingzhou, Guanzhong, and Luoyang remain in your hands. How can you easily admit defeat until the very last moment?"

Hear the words.

Erzhu Rong nodded. "You're absolutely right."

"Only those who persevere through adversity are heroes."

He walked to the door and looked towards the north.

Gao Yu's next move was obvious at a glance.

After taking Hanoi, he planned to occupy the area north of the Yellow River. His ultimate goal was to lead his army south, with his forces aimed directly at Luoyang, so that Yuan Shanjian, whom he had installed, would be forced to return to the old capital.

With such merit, Gao Yu could be made a king...

Then.

The next major battle will undoubtedly revolve around Luoyang.

"In the next battle, I will personally lead the army to fight a decisive battle with Mohedu outside Luoyang!"

(End of this chapter)